Page 76 of Silent Schemes

She keeps pace, half a step behind, but it’s not deference.

She’s watching my periphery, making sure no one gets the drop.

I notice the way she glances at the puddles, counting footprints, not just her own.

The last set that passed here was a while ago—three men, one heavy, two moving with the wide stance of people who carry.

Sienna marks it at the same time I do.

Our eyes meet, and nothing needs to be said.

Inside, the air reeks of diesel and mold.

Rows of stacked shipping containers create a rat maze.

The fluorescents above are dying, their buzz an annoyance.

We move to the meeting room, a prefab cube of drywall and plexiglass wedged in the warehouse corner.

There are three Rosetti men inside.

One behind the foldout table, two at the door pretending not to be muscle.

All mid-level, all dressed in suits they think make them look untouchable.

They smell of cheap aftershave.

I nod to the big one behind the table. “Dominic,” I say.

He stands.

I clock the slight hesitation as he recognizes me. “You’re not who I expected, Bane.”

I let the disrespect slide. “Consider it an honor.”

He eyes Sienna, but only for a split second. Mistake. “The money’s not ready. There was a shipment delay. You understand how?—”

I cut him off with a smile. “Don’t care.”

He tries again, voice louder, aimed at the two muscles. “I said, there was a delay. We’ll settle up next week.”

Sienna leans against the wall, arms folded.

She lets the silence eat at him.

I walk to the table. “You had two weeks. My father’s patience is gone.”

I look at the ledgers on the desk, run a finger across the lines of bullshit. “The only thing you’re buying with excuses is time. And you’re fresh out.”

He stands, slowly.

The other two shift behind me, flanking. Standard play.

“You gonna rough me up?” Dominic says, sneering.

I shake my head. “Not tonight. I’m here for payment.”

He looks at Sienna again, as if he’s trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. “Who’s the girl?”